SexPositive has been downloaded 29,184 times as of 1/19/15. Version 2.1 includes campus-specific resources for University of Oregon, University of Colorado-Boulder and University of Maryland.

It's difficult to predict when you may need access to sexual health information. With SexPositive, judgement-free information about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), safer sex practices, communication tips and healthy advice are available on your smartphone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Whether you're considering having sex or you're curious about the possibilities, SexPositive delivers sexual health information without the fear, secrecy, misinformation, judgment, and general negativity that often surrounds conversations about sexuality. How do we do that? We talk about what the University of Oregon Health Center knows best: what happens when a body part touches another body part or object.

What is Sex Positivity?

"(Sex Positivity is) the cultural philosophy that understands sexuality as a
potentially positive force in one’s life, and it can, of course, be
contrasted with sex-negativity, which sees sex as problematic,
disruptive, dangerous. Sex-positivity allows for and in fact celebrates
sexual diversity, differing desires and relationships structures, and
individual choices based on consent." -Carol Queen, UO Class of 1985, Phi Beta Kappa, founding director of the Center for Sex and Culture

"Sex positivity is the concept that the appropriate uses of sex extend beyond reproduction to enhancing pleasure, interpersonal relationships, spiritual growth, and emotional and physical health. In a sex positive world, everyone would be free to find a sex life that delights and empowers them."
-The Foundation and Center for Sex Positive Culture

Sex positivity strives to counter the fears, secrecy,
misinformation, judgment, and general negativity that currently surround
sexuality. It emphasizes medically accurate sex education and safer
sex. It makes no moral judgments about what forms sexuality
does or does not take. Sex positivity refers to a way of thinking that
embraces and promotes all forms of sexuality and consensual sexual
experience, placing these values on equal footing with the choice not to
engage in sexual activity.

Sexual Assault Prevention Efforts

NOTE: If you are a victim of sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic/dating violence, stalking, or gender-based Bullying, you can call 541-346-SAFE or visit safe.uoregon.edu to speak with a UO counselor who can explain your options and connect
you with the many resources available to you on the UO campus and in the Eugene community. This service is free and confidential for students.

When we launched the SexPositive app, we felt it was vital to provide students information not only about sexually transmitted infections and safer sex practices, but also to highlight effective communication and partner consent. Beneath our innovative and engaging user interface, we’ve included a section of ways for users to increase communication about sex. It’s not enough to tell people not to rape.
We made an effort to model what we expect users to do.

First, we want folks to examine their motivations for having sex and consider whether they’re ready for sex. Second, for users who are ready for sex, we want them to understand that a “yes” to one sexual act is not a “yes” to every sexual act. Third, we want users to consider a variety of personal boundaries before finding themselves in a high-pressure situation. Finally, we want to model the many ways to express and obtain explicit consent.

We partnered with the UO Sexual Wellness Advocacy Team (a student troupe that utilizes theater and facilitation to educate peers about sexual assault, dating violence, and sex-positivity) to write and star in YouTube videos that model how to start difficult conversations, and offer a list of sexy suggestions for obtaining explicit consent (without ruining the mood or sounding like a lawyer).

Students come to campus with a range of beliefs and experiences. By modeling how we expect students to communicate, we will join other programs and organizations at UO whose goals are to create a culture of consent on campus.

One of the universities that licenses the app funded the licensing through their university's Title IX coordinator, a testament to our assault prevention efforts.